Niger request Accra Sports Stadium as home venue for AFCON qualifiers

Niger has formally requested the use of Accra Sports Stadium as their home venue for upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers, according to National Sports Authority (NSA) Director General Yaw Ampofo Ankrah. This request comes amidst various African countries facing difficulties in securing approved venues due to the Confederation of African Football’s (CAF) strict stadium inspection and licensing requirements.

Ghana is currently evaluating its stadium commitments for the next international window, with multiple national teams and youth sides anticipated to require facilities for competitive matches. Yaw Ampofo Ankrah mentioned that Niger's request coincides with Ghana's preparations to host the U-20 AFCON tournament next year, as well as the Black Meteors' qualifiers for the Olympic Games.

The scheduling for these events has not been finalized by CAF. The Accra Sports Stadium would face heightened demands, particularly in maintaining its playing surface, and the NSA is expected to expedite maintenance and rehabilitation efforts to meet CAF’s standards. Ampofo Ankrah acknowledged the challenging timeline but assured that preparations would be expedited to accommodate the various international fixtures.